NKFH: Consumer protection officers inspected hundreds of stores and restaurants operated in the Far East

The statement highlighted that during the nationwide inspection initiated by the NKFH to inspect commercial and catering facilities operated in the Far East, the experts inspected 120 commercial and 155 catering units in cooperation with county government offices.

The most common problems identified in the commercial sector during the inspections included incorrect product labeling, especially the lack of information in Hungarian (35 percent), and lack of traceability (22 percent). In addition, the lack of a valid health book for employees was observed in one fifth of the inspected units (21 percent), the statement explained.

During the examination of the catering sector, the main problems were reported to be deficiencies in the traceability of raw materials (55 percent) and inadequate hygiene conditions (47 percent).

It is particularly worrying that in 15 cases, due to serious food safety and hygiene deficiencies, the authorities were forced to order restrictions on activities. The lack of proper labeling of food in restaurant units also caused significant problems (24 percent), the statement said.

Based on the examinations, a total of 126 official procedures have been initiated against food entrepreneurs so far, within the framework of which government offices have imposed fines of approximately 16.5 million forints. The procedures are still ongoing in several counties.